Coolant sensor and bleed valve
US7341097B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/8158
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A coolant sensor doubles as a bleed valve for purging trapped air from a cooling system. The sensor slides into a port placing a sensor element in contact with the coolant. The sensor includes a pair of encircling o-rings for sealing the system from atmosphere in one position and permitting bleeding in a second position. The bleed channel is in the sensor port between the o-rings. The sensor is moved so the innermost o-ring clears the narrow opening into the cooling system. The outermost o-ring maintains a seal to keep the coolant from leaking out of the sensor port. The sensor is held in either position by a horseshoe clip or by a bayonet arrangement, the horseshoe clip arrangement including multiple apertures for each position, the bayonet having a position to provide for safe bleeding of air from the cooling system without completely removing the sensor from its retention port.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.